Rogers High SchoolNewport, RI800px-RogersHighSchool.jpg3.

School Description by: Kelly Lakin

Introduction:

Newport, Rhode Island consists of six different schools that help each generation succeed successfully. Rogers High School is the only school in the district that educates grades nine through twelve. Located in on the bottom hook of the island, Rogers High School rests on Wickham Road. Like any other high school, it is very unique. Though the area is noted to consist of all upper class, the schools show that there is a totally different side of the community here in Newport. Facts regarding the demographics, family, community, and home life, student achievement, teacher evaluations, safe and supportive factors, and funds and resources help one rate the qualities that Rogers High School provides for each of their students.

Demographics

Rogers High School is a fairly diverse institution. The demographics include a variety of different types of people.They have a broad selection of different races within it, from Caucasian(63.5%) to Hispanic/Latino (21.8%) to Black/African American(17.5%) to Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander(2.8%). They have a total of roughly 600 students, 46.9% being female and 51.2% being male. (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2010)[1] (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2009-2010)[2]

Family, Community, and Home Life

Family life is definitely a huge impact on the way that a child is a student at school. How they behave, learn, and interact with others is developed by each person's home life. If a student's parents don't provide him or her a stable home life, the student may not want to come home Thus, effecting his or her effort within school. The family income and ways that each parent spends effects each child's life at school. Out of all of Rogers High School's students, 44% of them are eligible for Subsidized Lunch, which is relatively the same as the statewide average(43.0%). These reduced or free lunches help the families that are close to or in poverty. Though these students may not have much to look forward to at home, they are very involved with extra-curricular activities. Between sports(60.5%), music(42.8%), dance(17.7%), babysitting(50.6%) working(49.0%), and volunteering(26.3%), they have plenty of things to do to keep them preoccupied. (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2010) (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2009-2010)

Student Achievement

How much a student cares for his or her education throughout high school makes a huge impact on the testing results and career goals for that student. How one may act in high school shows the amount of effort he or she is willing to give. In Rogers High School, the testing scores from the NECAP(New England Common Assessment Program) to the SAT and AP scores were fairly low for a high schools standard, all except the reading levels at a whole 79.0% for the NECAP assessments. Rogers High School has not met AYP (Adequate Year Progress), meaning that "These schools' students did [not meet] the exceeded the goals on all targets..." Each student has some sort of future plans that they plan on pursuing after they graduate. Whether it be the military, attending college, or working for a company for full/part time, they all have an idea. A majority of Rogers High School students plan on going to a four year college, followed by working, and then by the military. These "dreams" do not only come from the students themselves, but the expectations of those around them. Peers, guidance counselors, teachers, and his or her family life all has an impact on what these kids want to do when they "grow up." (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2010) (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2009-2010)

Teacher Evaluations

The majority of Rogers High School's teacher are certified, with only 2% of them not and another 2% have an Emergency Certification ("Individuals who do not qualify for full state certification may be granted an emergency certificate to teach in the public schools, upon written request of the Superintendent of Schools, when fully certified applicants are not available.") Schools that have highly qualified teachers make a huge difference in the classroom. At Roger's High School, the students agree that the teachers put in the effort to make their education the best it can be. On a survey the students were asked to fill out, 59% of the students said that their teachers keep them interested in class, which is one of the most important things do while instructing students on boring information. (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2010) (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2009-2010)

Safe and Supportive Schools

While attending school, one should feel as if they are in a safe environment. Violence within a school can effect the attendance and graduation rates. 87.3% of students feel safe in the hallways of RHS throughout the school day. If things get out of control in the classroom, it is told by the students that the teachers rarely can control the problem. And if the teacher does react to the situation, 65% of the students say that the discipline is not fair, though 82.4% of the students know the consequences for their actions. These results may cause a failure to graduate from high school. In 2010, in Rogers High School, there was a 80% graduation rate, which is fairly high compared to the states average of 76.9%. It is difficult to talk to people if a problem arises in school. Thankfully, a majority of the students feel as if they can talk to a RHS staff member about the issue. (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2010) (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2009-2010)

Funding and Resources

Public schools are funded by taxes, since there is no tuition for the students. A lot of schools in America are in very poor conditions. Fortunately, Rogers High School has kept up with the renovations and provided the students a good learning environment. Over 65% of the students say that the school looks good inside and out, which is always a good thing to take pride in. Also, the supplies the students and teachers are given to use are in good condition. These resources are important to keep updated because it gives a variety of ways that a child can learn the curriculum. (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2010) (Rhode Island Department of Education, 2009-2010)

Conclusion

Rogers High School provides a diverse place for the Newport Community. The students are provided a decent atmosphere to grow into young adults. The moment's each student lives during his and/or her four years at Roger's High are highlighted by the schools pros and cons.Though a poverty stricken home life can effect the situation, this school provides diverse demographics, well student achievement, good teacher evaluations, a safe a supportive community and a good intake of funds and resources. High school is a place where skills develop for students to be whoever they want to be. Rogers High School has it's good and bad qualities, but as a whole, it gives the students a good environment to learn in.

  1. ^
    Rhode Island Department of Education. (2010). InfoWorks LIVE! InfoWorks LIVE! Retrieved from http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/rogers-high-school
  2. ^ Rhode Island Department of Education. (2009, 2010). Rogers High School student survey. Retrieved fromhttp://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/files/surveyworks/2009-2010/students/surveyworks-2009-2010-rogers-high-sc

Rogers High School image. (2011).Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RogersHighSchool.jpg